Hedstrom buys another exercise ball firm

ASHLAND, OHIO (Nov. 21, 2 p.m. ET) — The small Ohio town of Ashland is becoming a fitness products center, as rotational molder Hedstrom Plastics has acquired worldwide distribution rights for another brand of exercise balls.

The Hedstrom Fitness division, which already distributes and markets the Bosu fitness ball, inked a deal Nov. 5 to for Kamagon line of water-filled exercise balls. They resemble kettle balls.

Hedstrom has been rotomolding both ball lines at its headquarters plant in Ashland. Now the company also will handle distribution and marketing.

According to Hedstrom, Kamagon products use water motion—dubbed Hydro-Inertia—to create unstable resistance that “challenge the muscles while simultaneously stimulating the nervous system.” Originally adopted by mixed martial arts enthusiasts, Kamagon is used by major professional and college sports teams, Hedstrom said.

“Our business model is to seek distinctive athletic products that fit our brand, work together and put us in both the manufacturing and distributor seats,” said Mike Kelly, CFO of Hestrom Fitness.